Missouei



G. W. DUNCAN.

Flood-Fences. N0.145,493. PatentedDec.16,1873.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I GEORGE TV. DUNCAN, OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI.

IMPRQVEMENT lN FLOOD-FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 145,493, dated December16, 1873; application filed June 27, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. DUNCAN, of Columbia, in the county ofBoone and State of Missouri, have invented a new and ImprovedWater-Gate; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawingforming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is an elevationwith the gates in an upright position, and Fig. 2 is a plan view withthe gates turned down.

Similar letters of reference in the accompanying drawings denote thesame parts.

This invention has for its object to provide a flood-gate that willremain in an upright position at ordinary times, give way for thepassage of drift in cases of flood, and, after having allowed the driftto pass, regain its upright position, and to place the same so as toform a complete continuation of the fence from one side of the stream tothe other, without leaving any gap or break. To these ends the inventionconsists in placing across the bed of the stream a heavy timber, withthe ends projecting into the bank on either side to hold it securely toits place. At the point where the timber enters the banks two othertimbers are framed into or otherwise securely fastened to it on aninclined position, one on either side the stream, so as to form acontinuous timber from one bank to the other. To each of the timbers arehinged one or more spring-gates, adapted to yield for the passage ofdrift or a strong current of water, and regain their upright positionsafter the same has passed through. The banks as well as the bed of thestream being provided with gates, greater facility for the passage ofdrift is afforded than would be the case where only a single gate isemployed in the bed of the stream, because there is no resistanceoffered from the top of one bank to the top of the other. The rails ofthe middle gate are horizontal, while those of the sides are inclined inthe same angle as the side timbers. The palings of all the gates are ofthe same length, and arranged in an upright position, so that the outerends of those that are inclined shall form an uninterrupted connectionof the fences upon the banks. The palin gs are made triangular in form,transversely, and nailed to the stringers so as to present sharp edgesto the water and drift. They therefore offer less resistance to floatingobjects, and serve to deflect the latter between them.

In the accompanying drawings, A is the timber in the bed of the stream,the ends of which should project into the banks somewhat to hold it inplace; and B are the inclined timbers, securely fastened to the timberA. D is the central gate, and E E the two side gates, forming wings tothe central gate D. F F are the rails of the gates, running parallelwith the timbers to which the latter are attached; and g g are thepalings, made triangular in form transversely, and nailed Vertically tothe rails. H H are the hinges by which the gates are attached to thetimbers, and upon which they turn when required; and c i, the springswhich keep the gates in an upright position ordinarily, but yield to thepressure of the water or drift against the gates, which turn down uponthe hinges, the center one into the bed of the stream, and the side onesagainst the banks, and allow the drift to pass through. After itspassage the springs throw the gates back to their upright position. Thetwo upper ends of the inclined gates connect with the fence upon thebanks, so that the gate will form a continuation of the fence.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The string-pieceA, provided with the illclined pieces B B, framed or otherwise securedthereto, in combination with the inclined hinged spring-gates E E,forming a continuation of the bank-fences, substantially as described,and for the purpose specified.

2. The timbers A B and hinged gates D E E, with springs 1', arranged asdescribed, and for the purpose specified.

G'- IV. DUNCAN.

Witnesses:

W. W. GARTH,

A. J. HARBIsoN.

